Underwater torpedo recovery device

ABSTRACT

A device for retrieving torpedoes or other sunken cylindrical objects from a variety of bottom types and in a variety of attitudes is provided. The retriever is operated by mechanical means only and comprises a pair of opposed jaws which are balanced so as to open automatically when unrestrained and to close about the object upon contact therewith and subsequent downward movement with respect thereto.

1 United States Patent 11 1 Walden 1 Apr. 16, 1974 [54] UNDERWATER TORPEDO RECOVERY 1,197,303 9/1916 Paxton 294/110 R X DEVICE 2,655,401 10/1953 Kelso 294/86 R 900,889 10/1908 Schuster.. 294/110 R X [75] Inventor: a e Walden, Falmouth, Mass. 2,617,678 11/1952 Kelso 294/113 x Assigneez The United States of America as 2,873,995 2/1959 Turner 294/110 R X ted b the'S at of th 5 ary e Primary Examiner-Richard E. Aegerter Assistant Examiner-Johnny D. Cherry Flledi 1972 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-R. S. Sciascia; C. E. Vau- 21 Appl. No.: 315,713

[52] US. Cl. 294/110 R, 294/66 R, 294/106 [57] ABSTRACT 51 1m. (:1. 1366c 1/28 A devlce for retrlevmg torpedoes or other Sunken y- [53 Fiek] f Search 294 R, 86 R 1 3 4 lindrical objects from a variety of bottom types and in 294/106, 108, 109, 1 10 R, l 13; 114/168, 20, a variety of attitudes is provided. The retriever is oper- 50 5 54; 214/147 G, 5 653 ated by mechanical means only and comprises a pair of opposed jaws which are ba1anced so as to open 'au- 5 References Cited tomatically when unrestrained and to close about the UNITED STATES PATENTS object upon contact therewith and subsequent downward movement with respect thereto. 2,911,251 11/1959 Osborn 294/110 R 3,522,966 8/1970 Wood 294/110 R 11 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 23 fi 2s (a I 1J1 f ll I f I, 24 o 16 36 17 I: o

H 22. 44 2. I I 1| i II I I 1' '1 l 1' 40 41 I] 1 1' 1" 0 i v 42 o as 39 '0 /43 PATENTEDAPR 16 IBM sum 1 or:

"II---------- '--I- 1 UNDERWATER TORPEDO RECOVERY DEVICE This invention concerns a device for recovering cylindrical objects on the ocean bottom and, more particularly, for automatically gripping torpedoes disposed in a variety of attitudes and bottom sediments.

Many devices for recovering cylindrical objects are available such as tongs, grapples and compression grippers which hold an object by exerting lateral pressure on the sides thereof. These prior recovering devices are directed primarily to handling pipes, logs, cartes, and similar objects which are susceptible to rough handling and therefore require no unusual protection against damage in handling. However, these prior devices are not desirable for recovering items such as torpedoes which contain explosives and delicate instruments and which have an outer shell not specifically strengthened to protect against rough handling. Torpedoes and similarly sensitive objects require for their recovery a retrieving means which is specifically adapted to safely and yet firmly capture, lift and transport the object. The present invention avoids the disadvantages of prior recovery devices and presents a novel means for safely recovering such objects from sea floors, lake and river beds and other bodies of water.

The invention comprises a retriever which includes handles for positioning it over the center of gravity of the object to be recovered and a bail handle for releasing the jaw locks at the preferred moment. The jaws are formed and pivoted so that upon release of the jaw locks, the jaws rotate until fully closed attheir upper ends and fully open at their lower ends. Contact with a torpedo or other cylindrical object gradually opens the jaws at their upper ends and simultaneously closes them about the object at their lower ends. In closing, the jaws slide around and under the object, assuming the object is of proper diameter for the jaws being used, instead of closing in from the sides. The weight of the retriever alone causes the jaws to be pushed down and around the object, remaining very close to the objects sides and thereby making it easier to attach the retriever to partly buried objects while reducing the possibility of debris fouling the jaw holding surfaces. The locking pawls are resiliently connected and, upon release of the bail handle, bear against the notched upper surface of the jaws, preventingthe jaws from reopening after lifting has begun.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide means for securely and safely retrieving objects which are easily susceptible to damage from the sediment. rocks, etc. of floorsof bodies of water.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for retrieving sunken objects. which means are strictly mechanical in operation and may be easily manipulated by hand or by hand-controlled manipulator.

A further object of the invention is to provide retrieving means which do not operate as tongs, are positive locking and yet may be removed in situ if required.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like parts throughout and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 3 3 in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the invention is shown which includes a frame assembly 11, a pair of jaws l2 and 13 pivotally mounted at the lower extremities of the frame assembly, a bail handle 15 and locking pawls l6 and 17 associated therewith for securing the jaws in selected positions, a handle 19 for positioning the retriever over the object to be recovered, and a shackle 21 for carrying both the retriever and the object which has been retrieved.

Frame assembly 11 preferably is constructed of I- beam sections 23, 24 and 25 preferably welded together at the junctures shown and a carrying plate 26 preferably bolted to section 23 in the position shown. Section 23 also has secured to it, preferably by welding, the position handle 19 by means of which the entire assembly may be moved directly over and aligned with an object to be recovered and to assist in maneuvering the assembly and a captured object after recovery.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show, respectively, a side elevation which illustratesthe manner in which the bail handle and its associated locking assembly are mounted in frame assembly 1 1 and a cut-away section showing the internal operation of the bail handle and its associated locking means.

Returning to FIG. 1, jaws 12 and 13 are shown formed so that their upper portions have a greater mass, centrally off-balanced with respect to the suspending cable, than their lower portions and also that the upper portions contain a plurality of notches 30 and 31 which engage locking pawls l6 and 17 in successive steps as the jaws slide past and under the object such as a torpedo which is to be recovered. Jaws l2 and 13 each include a pair of identical plates 28 and 29 which are spaced apart, as shown in FIG. 2, a distance greater than the width of vertical frame sections 24 and 25. Notches 30and 31 are disposed lIll the top of each of the plates and are adapted to engage respective pairs of locking pawls l6 and 17 as illustrated in FIG. 2. A pair of shock cords 36 connect respective pairs of locking pawls in downward engagement with the respective notches at all times when bail handle 15 is in the inoperative or rest position shown in both FIGS. I and 3. Jaws l2 and 13 are pivotally mounted at the lower extremeties of frame sections 24 and 25, respectively, about jaw shafts 38 and 39. Pivoting of the jaws about these shafts is facilitated by washers and bushings as indicated at 40 and 41. Transverse movement of the jaws on the shafts is restricted preferably by cotter pins 42 and 43. Bail handle 15 is secured to and rotates with a bail shaft 44, a pair of washers 45 being mounted over the shaft to control transverse movement of the bail handle.

The internal view of FIG. 3 shows locking pawls l6 and 17 in the position shown in FIG. 1 and also illustrates the manner in which bail handle 15 operates to rotate the locking pawls through operation of a release lever 46, a release lever spring 47 and a pair of release collars 48 and 49. Both bail handle 15 and release lever 46 are secured to and rotate as a unit with bail shaft 44. A roller 50 is mounted on a shaft 51 at the end of release lever 46 to facilitate the force transfer to release lever spring 47. Release lever spring 47 preferably consists of a short piece of spring which is connected at each end to respective release lever connecting straps 54 and 55 which, in turn, are connected to the respective release collars 48 and 49. The release collars are provided with flats as indicated .at 58 and 59 which contact frame section 23 when locking pawls l6 and 17 are in the unlocked position, the flats and the frame selectively limiting rotation of the locking pawls.

When it is desired to position the retriever over an object to be recovered such as a torpedo, positioning handle 19 is used to direct the retriever to the vicinity of the object and thereafter bail handle is moved vertically toward shackle 21, causing release lever 46 to depress spring 47 which action causes release collars 48 and 49 and locking pawsl 16 and 17 to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, elevating the locking pawls above notches 30 and 31.

By this action, jaws l2 and 13 are free to pivot according to their mass distribution which, because of their particular design, causes the upper end of the jaws to move toward and into contact with one another. Each jaw is provided with a respective flanged surface 60 and 61 to present as great an area as possible to bear the load of the torpedo or other object. The jaws meet at a point slightly above a line connecting the centers of shafts 38 and 39.

The device now is lowered onto the object with the object passing through the open lower ends of the'jaws and then being contacted by the flanged surface at the upper ends of the jaws. Further lowering causes flanged surfaces 60 and 61 to ride over the surface of the object, spreading the upper ends of the jaws apart and forcing the lower ends of the jaws around and under the object. As soon as contact is made between the retriever and the object, bail handle 15 is released and upon release is returned by its own weight and the tension in shock cords 36 and release lever spring 47 to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. This action of releasing bail handle 15 permits shock cords 36 to rotate the respective locking pawls 16 and 17 into engagement with notches 30 and 31 in the upper surfaces of the jaws. Locking pawls 16 and 17 now prevent the jaws from opening regardless of which notch they are engaged in. thereby providing a positive protection against unintentional release of the object.

The amount of penetration under the object by the lower ends of the jaws and the diameter of the object determines the extent to which the jaws will rotate to engage the surface of the object, and, concurrently, the notch in which locking pawls 16 and 17 will become Finally engaged. Where the object is embedded in such a position and attitude that the lower ends of jaws 60 and 61 are prevented from circling further under the object, the device is adapted to safely hold the object so that it may be lifted off of the bottom and transported to a more level surface where the object may be lowered to that surface and then the jaws may be further rotated under the object until the maximum encirclement has been achieved.

it will thus be appreciated that the present retrieving device operates completely mechanically and can only be released by a positive pressure exerted throughbail handle 15 and release lever 46. Upon discontinuance of the positive pressure. the bail handle automatically is returned to the inoperative position by the tension in locking shock cords 36 which tension also prevents release of an object by rotation of the locking pawls once lifting of the object has begun notwithstanding that the bail handle is inadvertently moved to the release position. The flanged surfaces 60 and 61 of the jaws provide an area as wide as may be desired for supporting the load of the object. There is no squeezing effect of the jaws such as is occasioned in the use of tongs, and there is no sidewise pressure against the object as is occasioned in the use of pressure grippers. The object, therefore, is held safely and securely in jaws which are locked in place and the object's weight is widely distributed over the contacting surfaces of flanges 60 and 61.

An object such as a torpedo which may or may not have an explosive load but which, in any event, carries delicate and sensitive instrumentation may, thus, be safely and yet firmly handled and carried by the retriever of the present invention. The object may be transported as desired with no chance that the locking pawls will be released since the use of a spring or shock cord at 47 prevents raising bail handle 15 to an upright position, i.e., prevents removing locking pawls l6 and 17 from notches 30 and 31, when the jaws of the retriever are holding any significant weight. It thus is impossible to release an object from retriever 11 once it has begun to lift the object even if the bail handle is inadvertently moved to the release position. Repositioning the retriever over the object can be accomplished by placing the object back down on the bottom. The object then may be quickly and effectively released by either a person or a hand-controlled manipulator raising bail handle 15 the distance required to rotate locking pawls 16 and 17 clear of notches 30 and 31.

A unique feature of the invention is the manner in which the jaws close about an object to be retrieved. The action of the jaws in sliding around and under an object of appropriate diameter greatly reduces the entrapment of mud, rocks and other debris between the holding surfaces and the object to be lifted because, in encircling the object, the jaws remain very close to the objects sides. This closeness makes it easier to attach the retriever to partly buried objects and could be a deciding factor in recovering a delicate object which is well buried in mud.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for retrieving a torpedo and similarly shaped objects from a variety of bottom types and at a variety of attitudes thereon comprising:

a frame having opposed arcuate means connected thereto which are configured to encircle a major portion of the periphery of a section of said object,

said means rotatable and unbalanced so that when unrestrained the upper ends thereof will pivot toward one another and the lower ends thereof will pivot away from one another forming an opening for receiving said object, the weight of said frame and said means sufficient to cause said means to close on lowering upon said object, said means pivoted so that during lowering the upper ends of said means are forced apart by said object causing the lower ends of said means to slide around and under said object, penetrating mud, rocks and other debris; and means locking the upper ends of said arcuate means in successive positions as the lower ends thereof progressively move about and under said object thereby automatically locking said arcuate means in place when lifting force is applied to said frame.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said arcuate means are formed of spaced members having secured thereto opposed contoured surfaces for reducing the weight per unit area on the periphery of said object during lifting and transporting thereof,

said locking means including detents disposed along the upper surfaces of each of said spaced members and latch means disposed opposite thereto on said frame.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said locking means further include means resiliently connecting said latch means so as to normally maintain engagement of said detents and said latch means,

said latch means operable to overcome said resiliently connecting means and release said arcuate means when said device is to belowered upon an object and to reengage said arcuate means upon release of said latch means.

4. A device for retrieving torpedoes and similarly shaped objects from a variety of bottom types and in a variety of attitudes comprising:

a pair of independently supported rotatable jaws having opposed surfaces contoured to encircle a major portion of the periphery of a section of said object,

of the jaws will rotate toward and contact one another and the lower ends of the jaws will rotate away from one another to form an opening which is wider than the greatest space between the contoured surfaces of said jaws when in fully closed position; and

means on said framework and the upper ends of said jaws for locking said jaws in successive positions about said objects.

5. The retrieving device of claim 4 wherein said means for locking said jaws include resiliently connected locking members mounted on said framework and a plurality of detent means on the upper ends of said jaws,

said locking members normally in engagement with respective pairs of said detent means; and

release means on said framework for selectively mciving said locking members out of engagement with successive ones of said detent means.

6. The retrieving device of claim 5 wherein said jaws are formed of a pair of side plates having contoured edges which substantially conform to the periphery of said objects to be retrieved,

said side plates mounted in spaced relation to one another. each side plate including said detent means; and

a face plate secured to the opposed contoured surfaces of like pairs of side plates to provide a substantial area for contact with said object.

7. The retrieving device of claim 6 wherein said release means include means for moving said locking members out of engagement with said detent means against the resilient force maintaining the locking members and detent means in engagement.

8. A device for retrieving torpedoes and similarly shaped ojbects from a variety of bottom types and in a variety of attitudes comprising:

a pair of independently supported rotatable jaws hav' ing opposed surfaces contoured to partially encircle said objects, said jaws unbalanced with respect to their axes of rotation; a framework supporting said jaws in spaced relationship such that when free to rotate the upper ends of the jaws will rotate toward and contact one another and the lower ends of the jaws will rotate away from one another to form an opening which is wider than the greatest space between the contoured surfaces of said jaws when in the fully closed position; means on said framework and the upper ends of said jaws for locking said jaws in successive positions about said objects, said means for locking said jaws including resil' iently connected locking members mounted on said framework and a plurality of detent means on the upper ends of said jaws,

said locking members normally in engagement with respective pairs of said detent means;

release means on said framework for selectively moving said locking members out of engagement with successive ones of said detent means, said jaws formed of a pair of side plates having contoured edges which substantially conform to the I periphery of said objects to be retrieved, said side plates mounted in spaced relation to one another, each side plate including said detent means; a face plate secured to the opposed contoured surfaces of like pairs of side plates to provide a substantial area for contact with said object, said release means including means for moving said locking members out of engagement with said detent means against the resilient force maintaining the locking members and detent means in engagement,

said locking members being pawls and said detent means being notches disposed along the upper ends of said jaws;

a pair of shafts rotatably mounted in said framework adjacent the upper ends of said jaws and transverse to the side plates thereof;

said pawls secured to said shafts at each end thereof;

and

resilient means connecting opposed pairs of said pawls so that the pawls on any side of said framework will be forced by said resilient means to bear oppositely against the adjacent upper ends of said jaws and engage respective notches therein;

said opposed pairs of pawls rotatable out of engagement with said notches by counterrotation of said shafts through operation of said release means.

9. The retrieving device of claim 8 wherein said release means further include a rotatable central shaft disposed in said frame intermediate and parallel to said pair of shafts;

a bail handle secured to the outer ends of said central shaft and extending outward of said framework;

a release lever centrally secured to said central shaft and extending therefrom oppositely to said bail handle;

a release collar centrally secured to each of said pawl shafts; and

resilient means connecting said release collars,

said release lever contacting said last mentioned ing at all times.

resilient means a substantial distance from the center thereof so that raising said bail handle will force said release lever downward upon said last mentioned resilient means creating a force sufficient to oppositely and simultaneously rotate said release collars and said pawls, releasing said pawls from said notches.

object-engaging members in a frame adapted for lifting and transporting sunken objects in such a manner that in the initial recovery condition the 10. A method of retrieving cylindrical objects from ocean bottoms comprising: 10

engaging the object about a selected portion of its periphery by opposed, rotatable encircling members which are unbalanced so that the lower ends thereof when unrestrained open fully and are then forced around and under the object as the upper ends of the encircling members bear upon and are forced apart by the object as the assembly carrying the encircling members is lowered upon the object; and resiliently restraining the upper ends of the encircling members in successive locking positions as the lower ends thereof approach one another so that the encircling members are restrained from openlocking the upper ends of the engaging members in successive positions as the lower ends thereof progressively move about and under the object so that the engaging members will be automatically locked in place when a lifting force is applied to the frame. 

1. A device for retrieving a torpedo and similarly shaped objects from a variety of bottom types and at a variety of attitudes thereon comprising: a frame having opposed arcuate means connected thereto which are configured to encircle a major portion of the periphery of a section of said object, said means rotatable and unbalanced so that when unrestrained the upper ends thereof will pivot toward one another and the lower ends thereof will pivot away from one another forming an opening for receiving said object, the weight of said frame and said means sufficient to cause said means to close on lowering upon said object, said means pivoted so that during lowering the upper ends of said means are forced apart by said object causing the lower ends of said means to slide around and under said object, penetrating mud, rocks and other debris; and means locking the upper ends of said arcuate means in successive positions as the lower ends thereof progressively move about and under said object thereby automatically locking said arcuate means in place when lifting force is applied to said frame.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said arcuate means are formed of spaced members having secured thereto opposed contoured surfaces for reducing the weight per unit area on the periphery of said object during lifting and transporting thereof, said locking means including detents disposed along the upper surfaces of each of said spaced members and latch means disposed opposite thereto on said frame.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said locking means further include means resiliently connecting said latch means so as to normally maintain engagement of said detents and said latch means, said latch means operable to overcome said resiliently connecting means and release said arcuate means when said device is to be lowered upon an object and to reengage said arcuate means upon release of said latch means.
 4. A device for retrieving torpedoes and similarly shaped objects from a variety of bottom types and in a variety of attitudes comprising: a pair of independently supported rotatable jaws having opposed surfaces contoured to encircle a major portion of the peripherY of a section of said object, said jaws unbalanced with respect to their axes of rotation; a framework supporting said jaws in spaced relationship such that when free to rotate the upper ends of the jaws will rotate toward and contact one another and the lower ends of the jaws will rotate away from one another to form an opening which is wider than the greatest space between the contoured surfaces of said jaws when in fully closed position; and means on said framework and the upper ends of said jaws for locking said jaws in successive positions about said objects.
 5. The retrieving device of claim 4 wherein said means for locking said jaws include resiliently connected locking members mounted on said framework and a plurality of detent means on the upper ends of said jaws, said locking members normally in engagement with respective pairs of said detent means; and release means on said framework for selectively moving said locking members out of engagement with successive ones of said detent means.
 6. The retrieving device of claim 5 wherein said jaws are formed of a pair of side plates having contoured edges which substantially conform to the periphery of said objects to be retrieved, said side plates mounted in spaced relation to one another, each side plate including said detent means; and a face plate secured to the opposed contoured surfaces of like pairs of side plates to provide a substantial area for contact with said object.
 7. The retrieving device of claim 6 wherein said release means include means for moving said locking members out of engagement with said detent means against the resilient force maintaining the locking members and detent means in engagement.
 8. A device for retrieving torpedoes and similarly shaped ojbects from a variety of bottom types and in a variety of attitudes comprising: a pair of independently supported rotatable jaws having opposed surfaces contoured to partially encircle said objects, said jaws unbalanced with respect to their axes of rotation; a framework supporting said jaws in spaced relationship such that when free to rotate the upper ends of the jaws will rotate toward and contact one another and the lower ends of the jaws will rotate away from one another to form an opening which is wider than the greatest space between the contoured surfaces of said jaws when in the fully closed position; means on said framework and the upper ends of said jaws for locking said jaws in successive positions about said objects, said means for locking said jaws including resiliently connected locking members mounted on said framework and a plurality of detent means on the upper ends of said jaws, said locking members normally in engagement with respective pairs of said detent means; release means on said framework for selectively moving said locking members out of engagement with successive ones of said detent means, said jaws formed of a pair of side plates having contoured edges which substantially conform to the periphery of said objects to be retrieved, said side plates mounted in spaced relation to one another, each side plate including said detent means; a face plate secured to the opposed contoured surfaces of like pairs of side plates to provide a substantial area for contact with said object, said release means including means for moving said locking members out of engagement with said detent means against the resilient force maintaining the locking members and detent means in engagement, said locking members being pawls and said detent means being notches disposed along the upper ends of said jaws; a pair of shafts rotatably mounted in said framework adjacent the upper ends of said jaws and transverse to the side plates thereof; said pawls secured to said shafts at each end thereof; and resilient means connecting opposed pairs of said pawls so that the pawls on any side of said framework will be forced by Said resilient means to bear oppositely against the adjacent upper ends of said jaws and engage respective notches therein; said opposed pairs of pawls rotatable out of engagement with said notches by counterrotation of said shafts through operation of said release means.
 9. The retrieving device of claim 8 wherein said release means further include a rotatable central shaft disposed in said frame intermediate and parallel to said pair of shafts; a bail handle secured to the outer ends of said central shaft and extending outward of said framework; a release lever centrally secured to said central shaft and extending therefrom oppositely to said bail handle; a release collar centrally secured to each of said pawl shafts; and resilient means connecting said release collars, said release lever contacting said last mentioned resilient means a substantial distance from the center thereof so that raising said bail handle will force said release lever downward upon said last mentioned resilient means creating a force sufficient to oppositely and simultaneously rotate said release collars and said pawls, releasing said pawls from said notches.
 10. A method of retrieving cylindrical objects from ocean bottoms comprising: engaging the object about a selected portion of its periphery by opposed, rotatable encircling members which are unbalanced so that the lower ends thereof when unrestrained open fully and are then forced around and under the object as the upper ends of the encircling members bear upon and are forced apart by the object as the assembly carrying the encircling members is lowered upon the object; and resiliently restraining the upper ends of the encircling members in successive locking positions as the lower ends thereof approach one another so that the encircling members are restrained from opening at all times.
 11. A method of retrieving torpedoes and similarly shaped objects from a variety of bottom types and at a variety of attitudes thereon comprising: mounting an opposed pair of unbalanced rotatable object-engaging members in a frame adapted for lifting and transporting sunken objects in such a manner that in the initial recovery condition the members are fully open at their lower ends; closing the engaging members about the object by lowering the frame and members onto the object, the weight of the assembly causing the upper ends of the members to be forced apart and the lower ends of the members to be forced toward one another in an encircling action under the object; and locking the upper ends of the engaging members in successive positions as the lower ends thereof progressively move about and under the object so that the engaging members will be automatically locked in place when a lifting force is applied to the frame. 